April 23, 2012
I love live music because…
It's great to have a day to remind ourselves about music. There's so much great music in this country and you can hear it all on love live music day.
What made you decide to pursue a career in music?
I always wanted to play music and I believe that your career should be the thing that you want to do with your life, so it was a simple decision!
Where have you found inspiration?
From master musicians on CDs, from musician friends, and from every snippet of life outside music
I’ve always wanted to play in....
The turbine hall in the Tate Modern. I did get to play in an empty oil tank once, so that's that wish used up.
If you could have been present at any live music event throughout history, what would it be?
First performance of John Cage's 4:33
If you could hear any one song or piece of music performed live, what would it be?
Something I had never heard before. I want to be surprised by the next note I am going to hear, freed from the known.
Which musicians/bands would you invite to your fantasy dinner party and why?
Dead ones, so I wouldn't have to talk about music over dinner!
What will you be doing on 21st June?
Performing music in Meeting House Square, wondering which note to play next, to surprise myself.
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April 18, 2012
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I love live music because…
It's always a unique event in space-time which will never be repeated. I have a theory that the medium of musicians is not tonal but temporal; as a performer you have the opportunity to radically alter the listener's experience of time. Haven't we all been to a gig that was really great and seemed to be over in a flash? Conversely, John Cage's 4'33" is a perfect example of how long such a short amount of time can feel. Even though it's wonderful to look everyone up on YouTube, there's a kind of magic that happens between performers and an audience which can't be replicated on a recording, so in this digital age live gigs are more special than ever.
What made you decide to pursue a career in music?
I got into music very young and became hopelessly addicted through no fault of my own. So I never really decided to pursue it; I just got very motivated to practice as a teenager and work seemed to naturally follow.
Can you remember your first ever live music experience?
I remember my Mum taking me to an Elton John gig when I was absolutely tiny. I think I might have been two or three! The music didn't make much of an impression on me at the time but I clearly remember sitting really high up and watching some guy at a white piano.
Where have you found inspiration?
I enjoy soaking in inspired creations like movies, music and art, but what really inspires me to be creative is modern life, and how much of it seems to be in direct opposition to human instinct and emotional need. I get a lot of time to think about this sort of thing these days hanging out with my 7-month old son.
I’ve always wanted to play in....
I like to play anywhere people will listen, out of the rain! I really enjoy sharing music in an informal environment, especially when people aren't really expecting anything. One of my fondest memories is of busting out the fiddle and playing a few Bach tunes for an extremely diverse group of women at a hostel I was staying in. None of them were musicians and they only knew me from breakfast. I once played the Bach Chaconne at a bus stop in Prague in the middle of the night. It would be interesting to see live music in such banal places as, say, supermarkets or airports. They're the sort of place you really just want to leave as soon as possible, so what would it be like to play there, and what would it be like for the public? Would the music take on a more functional aspect?
If you could have been present at any live music event throughout history, what would it be?
Perhaps the premiere of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. I hear it was a riot.
If you could hear any one song or piece of music performed live, what would it be?
Harawi - Songs of Love and Death by Messiaen.
Which musicians/bands would you invite to your fantasy dinner party and why?
Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Niccolo Paganini, Ludwig van Beethoven, James Brown (with band, of course), and Yurodny, because we have the best parties and could show these guys a good time!
What will you be doing on 21st June?
Playing with Niwel Tsumbu, Julie Feeney and Laoise Kelly in Cork for Love Live Music.
More information about Cora and her work is available here
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April 10, 2012
I love live music because.......
In our internet age it gives a great opportunity to experience the excitement, subtle nuance and spontaneity of live performance – nothing can compare to that.
What made you decide to pursue a career in music?
It was always a part of my family, but when I was younger I was a little torn between becoming a composer or a writer. I am a writer now, but of music, not of words. It seemed like the most natural thing in the world, to express what cannot be said in words, through sound – I was drawn to it, to create a memorable experience for the listener.
Can you remember your first ever live music experience?
I remember in school being taken on a trip to see a ballet. I’ll never forget the sense of awe and anticipation at the beginning, hearing the orchestra tuning up, all of these musicians together producing this massive sound.
Where have you found inspiration?
In many different genres of music, from Javanese gamelan to medieval, from Irish traditional to electronica and post-rock. Also I find inspiration in natural phenomena, clouds, glaciers, the night sky.
I’ve always wanted to play in....
I've always wanted to play in big reverberant spaces like cathedrals, there’s something about the atmosphere, acoustic and sense of history that resonates with me and my own music.
If you could hear any one song or piece of music performed live, what would it be?
This is difficult to narrow down, but it would be amazing to hear Elizabeth Frazer of the Cocteau Twins singing the This Mortal Coil version of ‘Song to The Siren’.
Which musicians/bands would you invite to your fantasy dinner party and why?
First I would ease everyone into the evening with some music from Baroque ensemble Beyond the Pale. They are Cork-based musicians who perform with such a joyous energy – the sound of Marja Gaynor on Baroque violin and Conor O’ Connell on recorders would transport our guests to another time and place. This would be followed by the Dublin-based group I Draw Slow, where the worlds of Irish traditional music and old-time Americana merge in a seamless unity. The night would end with dancing to the English electronic/post-rock band Stereolab. They use vintage keyboards layered with driving rhythms and memorable melodies which makes for an uplifting experience.
What will you be doing on June 21st?
Having a new piece premiered for ensemble, Irish traditional instruments and electronics at Meeting House Square Dublin – the whole event promises to be a wonderful day of live music.
About Linda
Linda Buckley is a composer from the Old Head of Kinsale, currently based in Dublin. Her music has been described as "strange and beautiful" (Boston Globe, July 2004), a "fascinating interaction between live sound and electronics" (Irish Times, Nov 2006), with “an exciting body of work that marks her out as a leading figure in the younger generation of Irish composers working in the medium” (Journal of Music, Sept 2008).
Linda is currently RTÉ lyric fm's Composer-in-Residence 2011/12 in association with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra. As part of this residency, she is commissioned to create a ten minute piece of music that illustrates the progression from traditional Irish music to orchestral and on to contemporary and electronic that will be performed in Dublin for love:live music on 21st June.
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March 22, 2012
We're gaining momentum as we countdown to love:live music 2012. There is great excitement about the day with a range of events being planned throughout the country. All the details to be revealed in May....
But, in the meantime, we're delighted to have two new musical ambassadors on board. Take a bow, Linda Buckley and Laoise Kelly.
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Linda Buckley, who is currently composer in residence at RTE lyric fm has this to say about her involvement in the plans for 21st June, "love:live music celebrates the rich musical diversity of the Ireland of today - I am honoured to participate in tracing the connecting thread from traditional Irish to classical, through contemporary and electronic trends of the here and now."
According to Irish Harper Laoise Kelly, "Ireland is, and has always been, unique on the musical world map. The harp has been the symbol of Ireland since 1270 so we’ve been known for music for a long time! We are the envy of the rest of the world in how music is such an integral, natural part of our culture. We need to celebrate this uniqueness rather than take it for granted. And encourage the musicians from other countries who always long to visit and collaborate to do just that."
So, we're in full flight with our plans for the big day. What will you be doing to celebrate on 21st June?
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March 15, 2012
Calling all musicians, ensembles, venues and promoters - everybody! - to plan and register events for love:live music on Thursday 21st June 2012.
Now in its third year, love:live music continues to grow from strength to strength and this year, the event will take place on the Summer Solstice, Thursday 21st June to coincide with celebrations for International Music Day - Fête de la Musique.
The love:live music movement is a celebration of Ireland’s musical identity and aims to promote access to Irish music for everyone. 120 countries around the world will co-ordinate their national music day on Thursday 21st June and Irish musicians, both professional and amateur, are urged to occupy a stage and create a free music experience. Here is a guideline of simple steps to start:
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Have a think, speak with other performers/promoters in your area, and see what ideas come up.
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Now get your planning boots on and book, organize and plan your event time for 21st June 2012
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Once you have a solid idea, you can speak with us at love:live music or simply go ahead to step 4!
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Register your event on the website and get ready for a fun filled day and night
Whether you're a seasoned professional or a first-time event organiser, we want you to get involved! You could organise a regular gig or concert... or something a little more unusual! Last year over 160 musical events took place across 24 counties. Event organisers put on free shows in a huge variety of venues including, halls, schools, churches, libraries, pubs, outdoors- in short, everywhere and anywhere!
love:live music is presented by Music Network in association with RTÉ lyric fm and funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht.
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March 1, 2012
Aren't musicians great? Especially these ones: Cora Venus Lunny, Seán Mac Erlaine, Francesco Turrisi, Niwel Tsumbu and Julie Feeney. Not only do they create and perform wonderful music, but they've also come on board as 'ambassadors' for love:lve music 2012. Here's what some of them have to say,
"Love:live music is a great opportunity to stand back and enjoy music in all its forms, played by all sorts of people in Ireland today. Music is celebration and it's for everyone and so is love:live music." Seán Mac Erlaine
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"Recorded music is widely available and easily accessible to everybody today. For this reason I believe that an event like love:live music is a vital reminder to audiences and musicians that live performance is still the essence of making and enjoying music, for professional, amateurs and audiences alike" Francesco Turrisi.
"I am thrilled to be involved with love:lve music 2012. The quality of music in Ireland is incredible and this event is a fantastic opportunity for musicians from all communities to come together in celebration of the wonderful music of Ireland" Niwel Tsumbu.
We'll be hearing more from our ambassadors between now and June, and they'll have a big say in how the event develops. But for now, a massive thanks to them for pitching in.
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February 23, 2012
Some great photos from yesterday’s photocall.
Big thanks to Cora Venus Lunny, Seán Mac Erlaine and Francesco Turrisi who were on hand yesterday to launch love:live music 2012 and are helping to get the word out to other professional musicians and organisations.
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February 22, 2012
Hi all and welcome to the website for love:live music, Ireland’s National Music Day.
We are delighted to announce that this year's love:live music will take place on Thursday 21st June 2012 to coincide with International Music Day/Fete de la Musique. 120 countries around the world will co-ordinate their national music day on Thursday 21st June and Irish musicians, both professional and amateur, are invited to get involved.
Big thanks to Cora Venus Lunny, Seán Mac Erlaine and Francesco Turrisi who were on hand today to launch love:live music 2012 and are urging other professional musicians and music organisations, as well as amateur musicians around the country to occupy a stage and create a free music experience to capture the imagination and showcase Ireland’s diverse music talent.
Over 160 musical events were held across 24 counties at love:live music in 2011 with events ranging from the RTÉ Concert Orchestra joining forces with St Agnes Primary School to host a concert, the National Chamber Choir conducting at The Helix in DCU, jazz and rock concerts; solo recitals, singing flash mobs; traditional music performances; buskers and last but not least the contemporary music sector pulled out all the stops with a performance by CoMA Limerick at the Hunt Museum in Limerick and several performances happening at the Contemporary Music Centre in Dublin. We hope to top that this year and are inviting everyone to get involved. So, take out your diary and put a large circle around Thursday 21st June 2012 and get planning! More information on how to register and to take part in love:live music 2012 here.
Jody Ackland, the event Project Manager this year, has been telling people that, “Ireland is known throughout the world for its incredible musicians and unrivalled musical talent and we want to celebrate this at home and encourage everyone to enjoy Irish music at love:live music. We hope that musicians, groups and organisations around the country will join in love:live music 2012 to bring the exhilarating experience of live Irish music to people throughout the country and make it a day to remember. We simply want everyone to make a commitment to enjoy Irish music on Thursday 21st June." Couldn't be simpler than that!
Keep an eye on the blog through your reader for news on new and highlighted events or follow us on Twitter, or Facebook if that's what you're into. And if you want us to send updates to you, join our enewsletter from the homepage. And, finally, we'd be chuffed if you could spread the word to anyone you think might be interested!
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